Botanicals are known to have some amazing benefits for the skin, and calendula in particular is a superstar in the botanical world of natural skin care. As well as brightening up the garden with their cheerful yellow blooms, the calendula herb can do the same for your skin, and a whole lot more. Read on to discover the incredible benefits of calendula on the skin.
Calendula vs marigold
They look very similar so you may be wondering is calendula marigold? Calendula Officinalis is the botanical name for the calendula herb, and Tagetes the botanical name of the marigold plant, so although marigold looks strikingly similar to calendula (they are in the same Asteraceae family) marigold doesn't hold the same medicinal properties as the calendula plant.
Are calendula flowers edible? They most certainly are, in fact, calendula petals have been used in cooking for thousands of years for their health benefits; you can use calendula petals to brighten up your salad, you can add the petals to soups and preserves, or even use them to bring colour to soft cheeses and sauces. And guess what? You can even drink calendula in the form of a refreshing calendula tea.
Calendula oil benefits
Calendula petals have been used in botanical skincare for centuries thanks to the incredible healing and soothing properties that these beautiful yellow flowers have for the skin. Typically, calendula flowers are infused into oils to create calendula oil, which is then formulated alongside other skin-loving ingredients to create soothing creams, lip balms, ointments, tinctures, and even soap.
Use calendula for skin benefits including:
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It's a natural antioxidant
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It plumps and tightens the skin while protecting the skin's elastin supply
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It helps to reduce scarring by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the skin
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It's antimicrobial and antiseptic
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It helps to speed up the recovery and healing time of wounds and burns
Thanks to its high flavonoid content, calendula holds powerful antioxidant properties which work to fight against free radical damage from pollution and sun damage. Free radical damage can lead to premature ageing and the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Calendula neutralises this damage and promotes the production of collagen in the skin, an essential protein that is necessary for healthy, glowing skin.
Is calendula good for sensitive skin?
Calendula petals and flowers are super beneficial for anyone who suffers from sensitive skin as calendula is very gentle and soothing. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits of the calendula herb are a real game-changer when it comes to treating sensitive and dry skin conditions; calendula is suitable for all skin types, but in particular, anyone who suffers from eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and acne will really benefit from using calendula-based products.
Shown to speed up healing, calendula flowers are loaded with natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties, so it's no wonder calendula is such a popular choice for natural skin care products formulated for sensitive skin.
Calendula soap
Our Wildflower Meadow natural soap is handmade with calendula-infused oils. The calendula petals also give this natural soap its pretty yellow colour and the petals in the soap add a very gentle exfoliating effect to buff away dead skin cells.
So whether you're growing calendula flowers in your garden or using calendula products in your skincare, we're sure you'll agree that there's more to this pretty flower than meets the eye. Do you use calendula in your skincare routine?
